Resurrection Fighting Alliance 10 went down Friday night from Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa. In the fight’s main event, Mike “Biggie” Rhodes outwrestled and outworked Alan Jouban over five rounds to take a unanimous decision win and the inaugural RFA welterweight title.
Iowa native Rhodes (6-1), a fleet-footed boxer with the Roufusport camp, and Muay Thai specialist Jouban (7-2) were expected to produce big fireworks in the main event.
But striking exchanges were not the norm. Instead, Rhodes used takedowns and a smothering top game to tire Jouban and prevent a protracted stand-up battle.
The first round was all Rhodes. “Biggie” used a throw to get Jouban to the ground early, then spent much of the round stacking up Jouban against the fence. During a standing exchange at the end of the round, Rhodes stunned Jouban with a straight right just before the horn sounded.
In the second, Rhodes staved off a Jouban takedown attempt to score one of his own, but then spent significant time inside Jouban‘s tight guard. Still, Jouban was unable to mount substantial offense, and another round seemed to favor Rhodes.
Most of the rest of the fight proceeded in this manner. Striking exchanges increased as the fight went on, with Rhodes landing accurate and diverse combinations on Jouban. Jouban appeared to rock Rhodes in an exciting Hail-Mary final round, but it was not quite enough.
Despite holding apparent size and strength advantages, Jouban was unable to impose his will or damage Rhodes. Rhodes, meanwhile, was fresher and quicker throughout and leveraged his clear wrestling edge to control the contest.
On the card’s co-main event, UFC and The Ultimate Fighter veteran Justin Lawrence (5-2) had little trouble with Iowan Luis Saldana (7-2). The big featherweight powered out of every Saldana submission attempt and used an array of kicks, takedowns and ground strikes to punish his opponent at every turn. The result was a lopsided decision win for “The American Kid” in his first fight since being released from the UFC in April.
There also was a spot of controversy on the card thanks to the judges in attendance at Hy-Vee Hall. Lightweight E.J. Brooks appeared to use takedowns and heavy top control to cruise to a victory, but two judges scored the fight for opponent and Iowa native John Case, who left the arena with a split-decision win.
Full Main Card Results
Mike Rhodes def. Alan Jouban by Unanimous Decision (for RFA Welterweight Title)
Justin Lawrence def. Luis Saldana by Unanimous Decision
John Case def. E.J. Brooks by Split Decision
Emmanuel Sanchez def. Michael McBride by Unanimous Decision
Cory Galloway def. Jeff Bates by TKO, Rd. 3
Miles Marshall def. Jordan Sanford by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd. 1
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com